Saturday 20th August
The weather forecast for the day showed somewhat variable conditions with the threat of heavy showers and strong winds, but despite this a gang of 10 reported for duty, including new member Matt K. Ian J, Bill and Matt departed on the line inspection to Alresford, with Pete and Neil Alton bound. This left John, Ian R and Adrian N to head down the line to Grosvenor bank to carry on with the chair nut lubrication exercise, and Adrian C, Corina and Brian H to take the company transport up the line to the site of the former Butts Junction to make further progress with the removal of the remains of the junction signal box.
The Butts work was brought to a close at around 12.30am, with Adrian and Corina needing to leave to attend a charity event in the afternoon, and all feeling quite exhausted. Neil and Ian J also had to depart for other afternoon activities off the Railway, leaving Matt and Bill to join the oiling team, who managed to reach milepost 55 3/4 part way into the shallow cutting before Wanders Crossing.
Poor Matt! His first time out with the gang and we manage to get him soaked, then splattered with oil and give him back ache after using the Chambre. I apologise now for "doing a Martin" and managing to shear two chair bolts.
ReplyDelete